Do you recall the legendary Battle of Kurukshetra? The epic clash of power, Dharma, and honor. The battle that lasted 18 days and nights.
Mahabharata, also known as the Kurukshetra War, is a Hindu epic that describes a war.
Due to the struggle for dynastic succession to the throne of Hastinapura in an Indian kingdom called Kuru, a conflict arose between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas and Pandavas.
The Battle of Kurukshetra, which was so large in scope that it marked the end of an epoch, was the pivotal point in the Mahabharata.
The battle, in which both sides ended up resorting to dishonourable acts in order to declare victory over each other, resulted in the victory of the Pandavas, the death of all Kauravas, and a large number of widows remaining.
Something we've all learned from our grandparents or in school.
Before we move into the aftermath, let's go over what happened on the 18th day of the battle.
Duryodhana's death concludes the final battle
"Don't you feel bad about the depraved act you committed with the intent to kill me unfairly?"-:(Duryodhana’s speaking to the Lord Krishna)
Duryodhana fled & headed towards a lake to cool him down, which had become hot with anger as the Pandavas were on the verge of victory.
Krishna leads the Pandavas to the lake, and Bhima forces Duryodhana to leave.
Duryodhana is invincible in a mace battle because of his mother Gandhari's boon that his body is impenetrable.Bhima broke the rules (on Krishna's orders) and struck Duryodhana beneath the waist, mortally wounding him.
Duryodhana is left to die in agonizing pain by the Pandavas.
The Rage- Driven Revenge from the Kaurava Brothers
Duryodhana's deathbed was visited by Ashwatthama, Kripacharya, and Kritavarma, who promised to avenge Bhima's actions.
Later that night, they attacked the Pandavas' camp, attempting to kill all of the Pandavas.
Among the dead were Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandi, Uttamaujas, and Draupadi's children, who were killed thinking they were the Pandav brothers.
After the battle decided the fortune of Pandavas and the fall of Kauravas, Yudhishthira succeeded Dhritarashtra to the throne of Hastinapura.
The Gandhari Curse destroyed out Krishna's Clan
O Krishna, I know and acknowledge that You are Táraka Brahma, Parama Purua.
"If You had only wished for something to happen, it would have certainly happened.".What was the point of staging such a bloody drama?” (Gandhari yelling at the Lord Krishna)
Gandhari was depressed, but more than that, she harbored resentment for Lord Krishna because she believed that, despite having the divine power to stop the war, Krishna chose to support it, hence the curse she bestowed upon him.
Then Gandhari cursed, "As the members of my family met destruction before my eyes, so shall yours meet destruction before your eyes."
Gandhari curse took 36 years to rise & till then pandavas stayed in power to the throne.
Arjuna, the son of Indra, experienced his first setback when his warrior abilities began to wane
The Fall of Dwaraka
Hearing about the chaos occurring on the Krishna’s side, Arjuna arrives to help the falling clan of the Yadavas of which the old men, women and children, and the 16,000 wives of Krishna, seem to be the only survivors. As they together set off for Indraprastha, the water levels begin to rise, causing the drowning of Dwaraka in the sea.
Arjuna's army, travelling with the Yadava women and children, is attacked by robbers on their way to Indraprastha, and Arjuna, the epic's most celebrated warrior, fails to protect the majority of them and begins to doubt his warrior abilities.
The Pandavas & the Beginning of Their Final Journey to Himalayas
When Arjuna confides in the sage Vyasa about his inability to protect those who depended on him, Vyasa tells him that the Pandavas have served their purpose in life, and they should now depart for their final journey to the Himalayas, passing on the responsibilities to the next generation. Vyasa advises Arjuna and his brothers to retire and renounce their kingdom as the purpose of their life has been served. Arjuna informs Yudhishthira of Vyasa's advise. Draupadi and his brothers agree.
The Pandava brothers set out across the country with Draupadi to begin their final ascent to the Himalayas.
The Pandavas' journey across India and, finally, their ascent towards the Himalayas as they climb their way to heaven on Mount Sumeru.
A dog befriend them as they leave their kingdom and joins them on their long journey.
The fall of the 4 Pandava Brothers & Draupadi while Climbing the Mount Sumeru
Draupadi is the first to fall while ascending the Himalayas, followed by Sahadeva, Nakula, Arjuna, and Bhima.
As they fall to their deaths, Yudhishthira explains each of their flaws.
Yudhishthira and the dog continue to climb.
Yudhistira’s Final Test after Climbing the Mount Sumeru
“I will never abandon a terrified person, nor one who is devoted to me, nor one who seeks my protection, nor one who is afflicted or destitute, nor one who is weak in self-defense; I will never abandon such a person until my own life is over.” -:(Yudhistira speaking to Lord Indra)
Indra appears on his chariot asking Yudhistira to initiate a conversation with him on this final journey. Yudhistira asks him to take the dog along with the them.- A request which Indra disapproved of.
But Yudhisthira stays adamant on his request of taking the dog along.
The dog was not a ordinary dog rather it was actually the deity Dharma, who us awe of Yudhishthir’s virtues, appreciates him. And eventually, he enters in Indra’s chariot to heaven.
Heaven’s Joyful Reunion
The Pandavas, on the other hand, had to atone for their sins in the underworld before being allowed to ascend to the heavens and enjoy the same benefits as the others.
As a result, with the exception of Yudhishthira, all of the Pandavas, the Mahabharata's heroes, ended up in hell after their deaths and faced their karma before paving their way to heaven.
The Reunion of Karna, Pandavas, and Dhritirashtra's Sons is described in the Event after they faced their own karma. There is a lot of angst and rivalry between them in heaven, where they all reunite.
